1958 Letters

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

April 2nd.'58.
Dear Ernie [Murphy]:
Many thanks yours 28th.ult.
Enjoyed very much hearing from you - got some good laughs out of your further incidents during your trip Abroad.
I imagine New Orleans is quite an exciting spot during 'Mardi Gras', especially for a bachelor. I was only there once, just for a couple of hours, making train connections, so did'nt get a chance to look around, but did sample their Coffee & Doughnuts. Am sure you must have had a wonderful time visiting your friends.
Was very happy to know that Bessie's check-up turned out so good, that was sure wonderful news - please convey my heartiest congrats. Pleased to note Beatrice dropped you a line, her full name is Beatrice Olga Jefferson - she used Olga as her stage name, she met her husband during this time so he calls her Olga, but among the immediate family it was Beatrice - I too wish you had been able to meet her. The picture on the stationery, from left to right are Lucille, Babe, Eda & Bea. I had to take it from across the street to get in the full building, hence the characters not being too clear in this cut.
Sorry to hear your Grandma passed on, of course at her age it was to be expected - do'nt think I would want to go that distance in life, altho' my Dad was 94 & still retained his sense of humor.
Interesting, you may reclaim the Farm in Nova Scotia - you'll probably end up with a Dude Ranch - featuring "Murphy's Bucking Bronco's" (No, I said BUCKING.!!)
Its been miserable here too, lots of rain this season, caused a lot of damage - floods & landslides, most of the latter on the Coast Highway between here & Santa Monica - still impassable in several spots, the land slid right down to the ocean - it will take about a week to clear it away - houses on the crest have been ordered to evacuate (top of the Pallisades).
The Railroad compartment routine between France & Italy must have been terrific, it would have made a great sequence for L&H - pie in the face etc. It is strange they have women taking care of the Men's dept. could never figure out why - maybe all the Frenchmen are fairies & would take advantage of a male attendant, men kiss each other on the cheek over there & only kiss the Ladies on the hand.
The 'Bishop Rocks' story is a classic - lucky this happened at the end of the trip, otherwise you would never have lived it down.
Think thats all for now Ernie - thanks for the nice Easter Card, appreciated your kind remembrance.
Eda joins in love & best - hope to see you again one of these days.
Good luck & God Bless.
As ever:-

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

April 3rd.'58
Dear Gary [Arnold]:
Thanks your letter,March 26th. with enclosure of a copy of your current issue of the Club Newspaper, very interesting.
I thought the transfer picture on your stationery was very well done & most attractive - am returning it to you, as you mentioned this was the only copy you had, so thought you might like to keep it.
Am looking forward to see the answers you will get on the Contest question.
Glad to know the weather has cleared up in your area, we are still having a lot of rain down here which is causing a great deal of damage, due to floods & landslides - the Highway between here & Santa Monica is now impassable on account of the earth slides, its really serious, as more are expected - many homes have been evacuated.
Note you got through with the Constitution test - hope you come through with flying colors.
All for now Gary.
Good luck & all the best.
Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel.

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

I heard Laurel and Hardy were shown on the Academy Awards show—didn’t see it.

Stan Laurel

April 3rd.'58.
Dear Mrs [Marie] Hatfield:-
Many thanks your nice letter & lovely Easter Greetings Card - We too wish Bob & yourself a very Happy Easter, with all the trimmings, hope the rain will be over in time for you to wear your Easter Bonnet.
We are having a rough time with the rain down here, you probably heard of the landslides we are having on the Coast Highway between here & Santa Monica - really quite serious & more expected if the rain continues. Quite a distance of road is impassable now & cannot be cleared till the rain ceases, the weather man says about next Sunday.
Note the Radio Station finally acknowledged your letter - theres no doubt that they do have a record, but their rules do not permit any copies made. Anyway, do'nt worry, you shall have one as soon as I am able to have one made.
I heard L&H were shown on the Academy Awards show, did'nt see it. I got a laugh out of your cute remark re the sack dresses - fully agree.! Enclosed is a news clipping just sent me from back East - thought you might like to add it to your collection. Incidently , that girl in the picture is'nt Clara Bow, but it does look like her does'nt it?.
All for now.
Kindest regards & every good wish to you both.
Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel.

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

April 9th.'58
Dear Rita [Harrison]:
Thanks your nice letter of March 4th.
Pleased to know the weather is nice again, its been terrible here, had lots of rain, floods & landslides etc. which has caused a great deal of damage - the worst storms in years. It looks like it will be clearing up now as its starting to get warmer again.
Note your Cousin is getting married - please convey my congratulations, wish her lots of happiness.
Was happy to know your Grandpa was looking so good, too bad you missed seeing him, as I know he is very fond & proud of you - give him my love & best when you see him next time.
Yes, Bing Crosby surprised everybody when he got married again - so unexpected. She seems to be a very charming girl, so I think he'll be very happy.
Are you still considering show Bus. as a career? Are you still in school or now working?
Not much news to tell you dear so will close.
My love & best to yourself & family - trust alls well & happy.
Bye Rita.
God Bless.
As ever :-
(Uncle)
xxxx
Stan Laurel.

Note from the Editor

American singer and actor Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby (1903–1977) was married twice, first to actress/nightclub singer Dixie Lee from 1930 until her death in 1952. They had four sons (Gary, Dennis, Phillip, and Lindsay). After Dixie’s death, Crosby had relationships with actresses Grace Kelly, Inger Stevens and Playboy model Pat Sheehan before marrying the much-younger actress Kathryn Grant in 1957. Bing and Kathryn had three children Harry, Mary, and Nathaniel.

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

Funny you should mention about a book on the career of Mr. Hardy and myself, as one is now in preparation and is expected to be finished sometime this year.

Stan Laurel

April 10th.'58.
My Dear Walterina [Hunter]:
Thank you for your sweet letter of March 2nd. & the lovely cards with picture of the purple heather & bluebells of "Bonnie Scotland" & for your kind Easter wishes & greetings. I forwarded one of the cards to Mrs Hardy as you requested, I gave her your address too, so you will possibly be hearing from her.
Glad to know your winter is over & Spring has arrived, you must have had a hard time during those severe snow storms. the snow storms you read about over here were back East & the mid-West, we get very little snow in California - only high up in the mountains, but we have had an unusual amount of rain this season which caused a lot of damage to property & Crops due to floods & landslides happened quite near to us. However, the worst is over & the weather is getting back to normal again, warm & Sunny.
No, I have'nt been able to do any film work, this stroke I had forced me to retire as I'm not able to do anything strenuous, I have'nt the energy I used to have, so tire very easy, & since my dear partner passed on, I frankly have'nt any desire to continue in the business, even if I were able.
Funny you should mention about a book on the career of Mr Hardy & myself, as one is now in preparation & is expected to be finished sometime this year, it is being written by a Professor John McCabe of the New York University - as soon as it is published, it will be my pleasure to send you a copy as a keep sake.
Well dear not much more to tell you, I enjoyed very much hearing from you again, your letters are so beautifully expressed & your loyalty & affection towards "Ollie" & I is deeply appreciated & valued.
Mrs Laurel joins in love & fond thoughts & wish you good health & happiness.
Bye dear. Good luck & God Bless.
Sincerely always:-
xxx
Stan Laurel.

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

April 11th.'58
Dear Mr & Mrs Short:
Many thanks your nice letter of March 31st. also the lovely Easter Greetings Card, it was very thoughtful of you & much appreciated.
Was so sorry to hear about the 94 year old Lady being in Preston Hospital, I imagine little can be done for her due to age & mental affliction, thats a sad situation poor soul. I too was sorry to read of your dear friend being killed in an auto accident - must have been quite a shock to you, that was awful - just in the prime of life - never know do we.
Some friends of mine who live in Stocksfield, sent me the enclosed news clipping, thought it might interest you - am wondering if you saw this show at the Theatre Royal Blyth.? I don't remember this Mr Bradley as its many years ago. Funny thing, the article mentions that the Pantomime opened in Bishop Auckland. (Durham) that was another of my Dads theatres which he leased for several years - the Eden Theatre. & I used to board at the King James Grammar School in B.A. which is still in existence - I think I have the honour of [having] been the worst scholar that ever attended there!
We too have been having lots of rain here which caused a great deal of damage, floods & landslides, thousands of families are homeless, the worst storms in many years.
Think thats about all for now - hope you had a happy Easter & alls well.
Bye, good luck & God Bless.
Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel.

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

April 12th.'58.
Dear Trixie [Wyatt]:-
Thanks yours of March 12th.
Glad to know the snow business is over, I understand you have had a pretty severe winter this year - must have been very miserable.
I haven't heard from Jack Graham either, I hope he isn't ill. Note the Empire is still not doing much business, its very strange that they keep open & lose money every week - evidently the Moss Empire use this loss to reduce their taxes on the other houses that make a lot of money.
Will send you the lip-stick early next week dear, Eda tried to get one for you yesterday, but the store didn't have the "Hazel Bishop" brand that we sent you before - they told her that this firm had gone out of business recently, they sold out to the REVLON Co. Anyway, there's not much difference, if any, of the lip-sticks on the market, they are all practically the same, so don't be disappointed if I send another brand, & don't worry about the cost, its our pleasure. I doubt if there will be any duty to pay, that is up to the English Customs Office & cannot be determined here, if there is any it should be very little, but I don't think there will be. I'll send it Air Mail, so it won't be too long before you receive it.
Interesting to hear Dolly's Son is to be married - or at least is married - didn't know she had a Daughter too, I imagine she misses her Family very much, give her our love & kind thoughts.
We have had some bad rain storms here, caused a lot of floods & serious landslides, the worst in many years. Happy to say its clearing up again & the weather is back to normal - quite hot today, nearly '90 in the shade.
Think thats about all for now dear. Take care of yourself, & keep well & happy.
Bye Trixie. Good luck & God Bless.
As ever:-
xxxx

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

April 14th.'58.
Dear Trixie [Wyatt]:-
Eda finally came across a store that had some of the Hazel Bishop lipstick in stock - they did'nt have Red Red, but said this Real Real Red is the same thing. This brand being difficult to get now, thought it best to take it. Hope it will please you dear. Sorry they didn't have any of those fancy stick cases, otherwise would have got you one instead of this plain case.
Love & best from us both.
As ever:-
xxxx

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

April 14th.'58
Dear Gary [Arnold]:-
Thanks yours,6th.inst.
I read about the bad floods you had up North & was hoping that you were not in that area, it must have been quite a sight in Gilroy, imagine the damage amounted to a great deal of money, our worst happening down here was the landslides, I understand the Coast Highway in that section is going to be re-constructed & will cost a million Dollars, it is quite a big project & will take a long time to fix up.
Congratulations on your Constitution test, you did very well indeed, 99% is very good, thats quite encouraging.
Due to the rain Easter Sunday was a bit dull, so it was just another day.
The weather is lovely now & lots of people on the beach again, swimming & surf boards etc. It was 90 degrees yesterday - really hot.
All for now Gary, take care of yourself.
Regards & best.
Sincerely:-
Stan Laurel.

THE FRED KARNO COMPANY - 1910

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

April 23rd.'58.
Dear Mr [Victor] Pemberton:
Thanks for your nice long letter 17th.inst. Fully understand how busy you are & not having much time for correspondence. Hope you enjoyed your holiday in Norway & got some interesting film during the trip - should be a very beautiful.
Note the all comedy programme you presented for the folks at Easter, was pleased to know "In Olden Times" made such a hit with them, that was taken from the "Bohemian Girl" picture.
The sea-side trip you are planning will be wonderful treat for the folks & especially later on to see the film you make on it, its certainly a generous gesture.
Congratulations on your becoming a member of the B.F.I. Yes, I heard that L&H has been honoured by a tribute show at the National Film Theatre, I think we were in England at the time, but were unable to attend as we were playing in the Provinces. Thats nice that you will have the privilege of using the theatre on occasions, it will give you the opportunity to display your talent in the surroundings you deserve.
I read that George Pal was making "Tom Thumb" - he did negotiate with us (L&H) a few years ago to play the comedy roles in it (ten years ago I think) but he kept postponing the deal for some unknown reason - after the deal has been ON & Off for a couple of years, I told him one day, he'd better hurry up & make up his mind before 'Tom Thumb' grows up.!.
Was pleased to know that "Liberace" was a big success at the Palladium - he's a great artiste.
Your remark re "The Screen's The Thing" is so true, it seems today they are selling mechanical devices to the public instead of plays & players.
I remember well the picture taken aboard ship with Chaplin - that was in 1910 - those were happy & carefree days - we crossed the POND on a cattle boat, it was indeed a hectic trip - roughest weather I ever experienced, nearly two weeks of it, landed in Quebec, Canada.
What a lovely surprise the 40th.Wedding Anniversary is going to be for your Mother & Dad. On that date, please offer my heartiest congratulations & sincere good wishes for continued good health & happiness.
Note your VictA season closes May 15th. Am sure the folks are very grateful for the wonderful entertainment you have so graciously provided for them, & will look forward to the re-opening in September - please convey my love & best to them all & my sincere thanks for their kindly interest in the L&H comedies & for their loyal support thru' the years.
Mrs L. joins in every good wish & kind thoughts to you all.
Good luck & God Bless.
Sincerely always:-
Stan Laurel.

Note from the Editor

George Pal (1908-1980) was a Hungarian-American animator, film director and producer. When Pal eventually directed Tom Thumb, for MGM in 1958, the comedy roles originally offered to Laurel and Hardy were played by British comic actors Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers. At the 1959 Academy Awards, the film won an Oscar for Best Special Effects.

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

April 26th.'58.
Dear Booth [Colman]:
Thanks your card 24th.inst.
Sorry you missed out on a TV job - hope it turns out as lousey as you feel about it. Anyway cheer up, the "Recession" will soon be over, as Ike says, Depression is just around the corner & you've got to take the bad things with the worse - do'nt get downhearted, think of the poor automobile industry, the suffering they are going through, they only made Fifty Billion last year & the price of 'Wailing Walls' has gone up.
Yes,this plane crash business is really getting serious, terrible so many lives lost each time one happens.
Weather here is lovely, between '85 & '90 for over a week now.
The TV recpption as usual, some nights Ok. Did you see "The Red Mill" with Don O'Connor?, a modern version with just a couple of the original numbers used - was very disappointed.
Wally Ford just called, he's coming out to see me this afternoon, on his way to his ranch - he told me Frank Sinatra wants to see me & asked for my phone number. I was surprised, as I just met him once afew years ago when he was working at M.G.M. - maybe he wants me to give him some Zither lessons.!.
All for now Booth. Love & best from us both here.
Take care of yourself. See you soon.
As ever:-

Note from the Editor

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), known as “Ike,” was a five-star general in the United States Army and the 34th President of the United States.

United Airlines Flight 736 crashed on April 21, 1958 about 9 miles south of Las Vegas en route to Denver, Colorado, following a mid-air collision. It was struck by a United States Air Force fighter jet crewed by two pilots. There were no survivors from either aircraft, and with 49 fatalities it remains the deadliest crash in the history of the Las Vegas Valley.

The Red Mill was an operetta written by Victor Herbert about two American vaudevillians who wreak havoc at an inn in Holland. Laurel and Hardy were in negotiations to play the starring roles in 1940.

Donald O’Connor (1925-2003) was an American dancer, singer, and actor who is best known today for his role in Singin’ in the Rain (1952) with Gene Kelly.

Wallace Ford (1898-1966) was an English born American stage, cinema and television actor who usually playied wise-cracking characters. Ford appeared alongside Frank Sinatra in Johnny Concho (1956)—a Western.

Francis Albert “Frank” Sinatra (1915-1998) was an American singer, actor, director, and film producer. He found success as a singer from the early to mid-1940s and was reborn as an actor in 1953 after he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in From Here to Eternity.

NO LETTERHEAD - 25406 Malibu Rd., Malibu, CA - TYPEWRITTEN

April 30th.'58
Dear Ernie [Murphy]:-
Thanks yours 27th.inst.
You mentioned the Eiffel Tower incident in your last letter but you did'nt give me the full details - am still wondering what happened after handing the paper back to the 'Queen of the CAN-CANS'?, that was a hell of a time to put up an argument.! in these situations they should have a 'PAY LATER' plan.
That was funny asking for a napkin, thats the name they use for a baby's diaper.! I bet the waiter thought, 'wot 'Higgerance'!
Lois & the kids are all fine, have'nt seen much of them of late on account of the lousey weather, but talk with them on the phone several times a week. Rand is busy all the time with the "Rin Tin Tin" series at Columbia.
Note the change in your P.O. Box number. When I saw it first on the envelope. I thought you had made a mistake in adding a couple of extra 3s, then seeing it on your stationery I realised it had been changed - hope 3 is your lucky number.
We have started to look around for another Apt. our lease here is up at the end of June (25th.) hoping to find a place around the Ocean Front in Santa Monica - trouble is the rates are terribly high for the Summer Season due to the tourist trade who have money to burn & do'nt care how much the cost, we have looked at several vacancies & they ask $500. & up a month plus utilities & thats for a years lease!. Think I told you our tenants have decided to stay for another year at our house & are also interested in buying it. Anyway, if we can't find something reasonable will go to a Hotel or Auto Court for a month or two.
Do you remember Carl Harbaugh, used to be a gag man at Roach's, his Mother was a race track character, well, I just heard the old Lady died (92). Pool old Carl will be lost without her, he depended so much on her these last few years.
All for now Ernie - will let you know re our new address.
Love & best from us both.
As ever:-

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The Stan Laurel Correspondence Archive Project hopes to collect and catalog letters from Stan to better understand his life and celebrate his comedic genius. If you have an original letter from Stan or have a copy not included in these Archives, please add a copy of your letter by contacting us via e-mail at info@lettersfromstan.com